My Allegiance (3)

Chapter 6

(Asgard, Loki's POV)

The life of a King is sweet. 

People fawn over me, listen to me, obey my every command, and I can do whatever the hell I want. Things have been quiet aside from a few parades and parties here and there, and I couldn't have wished for anything better.

Currently I'm lounging on a long sofa, surrounded by beautiful women, and I'm watching a fabulous portrayal of my 'demise'.

It's truly spectacular.

"Oh brother, this is it. I take my leave," actor-me says as he lies on the ground in actor-Thor's arms.

"You fool, you didn't listen," he says in response.

Gosh they're good. Almost as if they were there to hear the real thing.

"I'm sorry."

"Lady Sif, get help!" actor-Thor calls behind him to a woman in armour, and she quickly runs out of the scene, to get the 'help'.

"I'm sorry brother, for all I've done."

"It's alright Loki, just hold on."

"I'm sorry I tried to rule Earth."

"You know, they'd be lucky to have you."

"I'm sorry about that thing with the Tesseract. I just couldn't help myself."

"I know."

"I'm a trickster."

"So mischievous," he nods in agreement.

"Sorry about that time I turned you into a frog."

"It was a wonderful joke."

"Twas indeed hilarious," I say to myself with a grin.

"You are the saviour of Asgard, Loki."

"Tell people my story."

"I will."

"And build a statue for me."

"We will. It'll be taller than 3 men."

"With my helmet, with the big horns?"

"Of course. And I will tell father what you did here today."

"I didn't do it for him," I mouth the line along with actor-Loki, before he takes his final breaths and dies in the arms of actor-Thor.

Actor-Odin comes forwards on the stage, "And so Loki died of his wounds, giving his life for ours. He fought back those disgusting Dark Elves and he brought peace to the realm."

A young boy appears on the stage, painted blue, to give the image of my - Loki's - younger self, and actor-Odin addresses the child, "Loki, my boy...'Twas many moons ago I found you on a frost-bitten battlefield. On that day, I did not yet see in you Asgard's saviour. No. You were merely a little blue baby icicle... that melted this old fool's heart."

The scene ends with an embrace between father and son, then the curtain falls on the stage.

"Bravo!" I call as I stand, applauding the fantastic show and encouraging those around me to do the same. "Bravo, that was simply marvellous."

"Father," a voice says behind me.

Oh shit.

I slowly turn on my spot to be faced with the tall body of Thor. Not actor-Thor, my "son" Thor.

"Uh, my son! Thor has returned everyone! Greetings to my son."

I quickly grab the cane from where it was resting against the sofa, and I make my way over to him.

"It's an interesting play Father. What's it called?"

"Oh you saw that did you? Yes remarkable show. It's called The Tragedy of Loki of Asgard. The people want to... commemorate him."

"Indeed they should," he nods slowly, then approaches a stone monument. "I like that statue. A lot better looking than he was when he was alive, though. A little less weasely. Less greasy maybe."

"Ahem well, this is how he looked at his best."

"Hmm. Indeed," he says. He then pauses before holding up a skull. "Do you know what this is?"

"The skull of Surtur? That's a remarkable weapon."

He nods and hands it over to one of the palace guards, "Do me a favour. Lock this in a vault so it doesn't turn into a giant monster and destroy the whole planet."

"A wise suggestion my boy. So it's uh, back to Midguard for you now is it?"

"Not exactly. You see, I keep having this recurring dream. Every night, I see Asgard fall into ruins."

"That's just a silly dream my boy. Signs of an overactive imagination."

I can't have him stay here, he'll just get in the way.

"Possibly, but then I decided to go out there and investigate. What did I find? The Nine Realms completely in chaos. Enemies of Asgard assembling, plotting our demise. All while you, Odin, the protector of those Nine Realms, are sitting here in your bathrobe, eating grapes and watching terrible shows."

"Well it's um, best to respect our neighbours' freedom, don't you think?"

"Of course, the freedom to be massacred."

"Yes well, I have been rather busy. Board meetings, security council meetings, you know how it is."

"You're really going to make me do it, aren't you?"

"Do what my son?"

He spins his mighty hammer around a few times then hurls it into the distance before roughly grabbing me by the neck and putting my back against him.

"Thor! What on earth do you think you're doing?"

"You know nothing will stop the hammer returning to my hand," he says as he holds his arm out just past my head. "Not even your face."

"You've lost your mind! You'll be executed for this!"

"Then I'll see you on the other side," he says then puts his mouth right next to my ear, "brother."

Shit.

"Alright! I yield!" I drop my charm and finally face Thor.

"Hello brother."